ABA is the science of changing socially significant behavior. ABA therapy focuses on decreasing problem behaviors and identifying functional replacement skills that help a child to be more successful in their environment. The effectiveness of ABA therapy in producing long-lasting behavior change with individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders has been well-documented in thousands of published research studies over the last several decades. Research has shown that almost half of children who receive early, intensive behavioral intervention before age 3 years will be virtually indistinguishable from their same-age peers by the time they reach Kindergarten (Lovaas, 1987). This positive behavior change has also been shown to last well into adolescence. ABA can help children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders by:
• Increasing pro-social behaviors including language/communication skills, play skills, social skills, and academic skills
• Improving functional daily living skills (brushing teeth, toileting, bathing, dressing)
• Teaching self-control and coping strategies
• Decreasing problem behaviors including self-injury, physical aggression, and other disruptive behaviors
• Generalizing skills across different people and environments
The program will serve children ranging in age, 18 months to 12 years, who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Trained ABA tutors will provide high quality, evidence-based, one-on-one direct applied behavior analysis therapy with each child for 6 to 20 hours per week. ABA sessions will occur primarily in the child’s home, with occasional sessions in the community and at BRAINS available as needed.
Treatment will be individually tailored to meet each child’s needs, and will emphasize building functional skills and decreasing problem behaviors while focusing on keeping the child motivated to learn. Targeted areas will include understanding and using language, building broader social skills, building age-appropriate play skills, and increasing conceptual thinking and cognitive skills.
All of our ABA tutors hold at least a bachelor’s degree and have experience in working with children with autism spectrum disorders. Supervision of each child’s program will be provided by our Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Dr. Erin Matlosz. Dr. Matlosz will be responsible for the program, its development, staff training, implementation, and monitoring. Dr. Matlosz will also collaborate with families in the development of the program, supervise ongoing therapy, and will provide families with regular formal progress reviews.
At this time, we are currently accepting new clients into the program who have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and who have received an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis from a BCBS Autism Evaluation Center. Clients must also live within a 25 mile radius of our facility. Call (616) 365-8920 today to see if you are eligible for this opportunity and to schedule an intial consultation with Dr. Matlosz today